Destinations

Whidbey Island

Whidbey Island is the largest island in the contiguous United States.The island is accessible by ferry from Mukilteo and Port Townsend. In the north, the island is connected by a bridge to the mainland at Deception Pass.

Oak Harbor

Oak Harbor is Whidbey's largest incorporated community. It is named for the many Garry oak trees that highlight the skyline. In 1850 the Irish settled into the Oak Harbor area with the Dutch following close behind in the 1890's. Earlier pioneers relied completely on water transportation.In 1941 the U.S. Navy built a seaplane base between Maylor's Point and Oak Harbor. Within 30 years after the Whidbey Naval Air Station was established,the town grew from 600 to 18,000 residents.

The Irish paint the town green in March and the Dutch fill the town with tulips the last weekend of April during the annual Holland Happening celebration.The 4th of July and the Sea 'n Sky Fest are patriotic celebrations in Oak Harbor. The Whidbey Island Race Week in July is one of the top- ranked yachting regattas in the world.

Oak Harbor has a modern marina complete with transient moorage slips, agas dock, launch ramp and crane. Deception Pass Bridge, 15 minutes north of Oak Harbor, is a popular tourist site.
North Whidbey RV Park has 100 campsites with full hook-ups near Deception Pass.

Old town is the original commercial center of Oak Harbor. Stop to see its historic turn-of-the-century buildings, parks, beach and harbor. Some of the community's parks reflect the early pioneer heritage with displays of windmills.

For accommodations in Oak Harbor contact the Auld Holland Inn, Coachman Inn or Harbor Plaza.

Coupeville

Coupeville, the second oldest town in the state and the government seat of Island County, is a turn-of-the-century delight. This community offers a leisurely detour into 19th century America with restored Victorian homes and stores, old wharf, county museum and log blockhouses built during the Indian uprisings of the 1850's.

An information exhibit provided by the National Park Service near the west end of Front Street at the foot of Coupeville Wharf is a good place to start your visit. Quaint shops stretch to the east along both sides of the street overlooking beautiful Penn Cove. Nearby, the Island County Historical Museum tells the story of Whidbey's earlier days. A self-guided walking tour of 48 historic structures is a "must see". Each building is labeled with its date of construction and original owner.

Coupeville is also the site of the US's first and largest National Historic Reserve, Ebey's Landing, 22 square miles of parks, beaches, farmlands and 91 nationally registered historic structures.

Coupeville can be reached by regular ferry service. The Keystone ferry terminal is 4 miles southwest of Coupeville. The Clinton ferry on the south end of the island is a 20-minute ride to Mukilteo. A free Island Transit bus ride will whisk you to Coupeville and around the island.